Monday, 15 July 2013

Winter in Melbourne is bitterly cold
and being near the Yarra Valley we are hitting -3 at times. There
are glimpses of blue sky today among the clouds hovering and snippets
of sunlight on iris and tulip bulbs waiting to burst. Spring is
about to shine soon with blossom bursting promising new growth. This
is not just with the plants but also within who we are.

I am currently collating looks from the
very proper, 'Royal Ascot', The Runways latest Spring Showing for
their next season and trawling the department stores, online stores
and chain stores to see and forecast how we will see the next season
of Racing Fashion.

Now , I allow myself to feel fantastic,
but in fashion we are the fantasy we want to portray. We are not
models, we don't do this for a living. Even if we are models, I know
it is a really hard job and work from one job to the next never
knowing when someone my cut the rope from underneath you. Find the
way you want to be portrayed. I love fun, happiness and sunshine,
yes, it is a fantasy, I love my life being happy and fun, but in
reality I am dealing with making meals for a family, washing,
cleaning, toilet training and sleepless nights. Not exactly a
fantasy. Others may dream of being the corporate hot shot,
bombshell, retro fashionista or the rock star! That is fantastic and
in fashion we all have the ability to dress the fantasy and no one
has the right to tell us we can't. I love my Fashion but in no way
does it define who I am. Be who you want to be, looking at a
celebrity style or runway style to want to become that is an
impossible fantasy and you will fail as most of the time it has been
styled and almost been manipulated for you to want that. Let us put
our best Instagram foot forward and enjoy the fantasy, but once you
say goodnight to the phone and take off the dress you are left? Have
you stood for all you believe in that dress and image, do you feel
good? That is all that matters and when you hang your hat or put the
lid on that Hat Box, it should have been a journey of happiness and
discovery of your dress and hat!

Rather than walking out there and
comparing yourself to others, compare yourself to the last time you
stepped out. Are you feeling fantastic that you are dressed up in a
hat, or is it something that you are trying to Keep Up with the
KKKKKs?

We will never keep up with them, and
would we really want to???

Here are a few happy snaps from Royal Ascot and I do declare that Carol Denford from 'The Hat' magazine had by far the best collection of hats for the whole Royal Ascot 2013.

Racing Fashion at Royal Ascot

Racing Fashion at Royal Ascot

Racing Fashion at Royal Ascot

Racing Fashion at Royal Ascot

Racing Fashion at Royal Ascot

Racing Fashion at Royal Ascot

Racing Fashion at Royal Ascot

Racing Fashion at Royal Ascot

Racing Fashion at Royal Ascot

Racing Fashion at Royal Ascot

Racing Fashion at Royal Ascot

Racing Fashion at Royal Ascot

Racing Fashion at Royal Ascot

Racing Fashion at Royal Ascot

Racing Fashion at Royal Ascot

A tip from Anna Mott, "Your Orient Express maybe the next persons Thomas The Tank Engine"

Thursday, 4 July 2013

Royal Ascot is something now I am just starting to sit back and appreciate. It has been a huge trip with 1 day to catch my breath from Hong Kong and then flying directly to UK then off to the races. On Friday, it was one of my favourite days. Thursday is ladies day when all the BIG hats come out to play, but on the Friday you seem to have allot of horse racing enthusiasts.
We were situated in the 'Panoramic' Restaurant and I decided to sit back and watch. Yes 'People Watching', something we all love to do. The 'Panoramic' did play host to the British Aristocracy where the table behind me had a table of young gentlemen musing their trust fund and Universities.
It was really quite Posh!
The Panoramic, was a wonderful experience and we had two days in this restaurant. Let me say, if you are on a back packer budget, it will not suit. The menu was amazing and Vintage Moet.
This restaurant is a delight on a Summer Day in Britain where you have the warm breeze coming in as it was so humid.
Monte Coles, one of my favorite photographers gave me a few tips during Melbourne Cup Carnival, giving me another perspective on photography. Monte is brilliant and so insightful, also one of my mentors.
This is definitely a place that you do not end up rolling on the floor drunk, just think of the show 'ladette to lady'. You must talk with a plumb in the mouth and know your table manners, (no pretty woman here).
Never a pinky up during tea, no knife to cut bread and know your silver wear for 7 courses.